Every Giants season begins with cautious optimism, and it’s usually just about this time of year that those hopes evaporate.
Coaching dysfunction, weaknesses in the trenches, shaky quarterback play, devastating injuries, and locker room fracture: these are the Giants’ hallmarks we’ve all become accustomed to.
As Big Blue returns from their bye week in Week 9, none of those pitfalls have mired their season, resuming to the tune of a 4-2-1 record that has them atop the NFC standings. There was that one devastating injury when Jaxson Dart’s torn MCL sidelined him for the season in Week 2, but the unlikely arrival and heroics of J.J. McCarthy have — at least for now — rendered that setback more than manageable.
Nonetheless, the John Harbaugh era has seemingly shed the vestiges of the past, and he’s the betting favorite for NFL Coach of the Year (+225) for it.
And speaking of betting favorites, the Giants find themselves as the odds-on pick to win the NFC East ahead of their road date with the earthbound Eagles. That can partially be attributed to both Harbaugh’s cultural overhaul and the collective ineptitude of all three of their division foes.
Yet, the Giants’ Super Bowl odds have barely budged, moving from 70/1 to 65/1 at DraftKings Sportsbook since the start of the season.
There was a time — say six months ago, when some enthusiastic bettors were impressed by draft selections — when a Giants Super Bowl ticket was considered deranged. Now, it’s a value investment.
The playoffs are looking more and more like a reality, and although the Giants still must face the likes of the Jaguars, Seahawks, 49ers, and Lions, the Giants have shown they can be clutch in close games. Last season, the Giants were a wreck in tight matchups, finishing with an abysmal 1-7 mark. This year, they have flipped that script, pulling out late-game and overtime thrillers over the Cardinals and Texans.
The Giants have now scored at least 27 points in four straight games, their longest streak since 2010.
It’s far, far too soon to call the Giants backfield “Earth, Wind and Fire,” though their 27-21 Week 7 overtime win over the Texans showcased a season-high 188 rush yards on 34 carries from Cam Skattebo, Devin Singletary and Tyrone Tracy Jr., all of whom found the end zone.
McCarthy will need to prove more to shed the reputation he left Minnesota with. So far, his 95.2 passer rating and budding chemistry with Malik Nabers, who is well on his way to his second 1,000-yard season in three years, are enough to hang hats on.
Betting on the NFL?
Under Dennard Wilson, the Giants have transformed their once-vulnerable secondary into a strength while compensating for Brian Burns’ season-ending injury with an aggressive, blitz-heavy pass rush. The Giants allow the third-fewest passing yards per game at 184.9, and they have forced a three-and-out on 32.9 percent of opponent drives, which leads the NFL.
Oddsmakers are waiting to see a victory against a quality opponent since the four they own have all been against opponents with losing records, but I wouldn’t watch and see with them.
At 27/1 to win the conference, the Giants are worth the punt in both NFC and Super Bowl markets.
THE PLAY: Giants to Win Super Bowl (65/1, DraftKings) | Giants to Win NFC Championship (27/1, DraftKings)
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Sean Treppedi handicaps the NFL, NHL, MLB and college football for the New York Post. He primarily focuses on picks that reflect market value while tracking trends to mitigate risk.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: nypost.com
